Cell and Molecular Biology

Name: Dolosa, Arian Jhon F. Score:

Year/Section: BSED-III Date Submitted:

ACTIVITY NO. 1

TYPES OF MICROSCOPY

Microscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view samples & objects that
cannot be seen with the unaided eye (objects that are not within the resolution range of the
normal eye). Although cells vary in size, they’re generally quite small. For instance, the diameter
of a typical human red blood cell is about eight micrometers (0.008 millimeters). With a few
exceptions, individual cells cannot be seen with the naked eye, so scientists must instead use
microscopes (micro- = “small”; -scope = “to look at”) to study them. A microscope is an
instrument that magnifies objects otherwise too small to be seen, producing an image in which
the object appears larger. Most photographs of cells are taken using a microscope, and these
pictures can also be called micrographs.

From the definition above, it might sound like a microscope is just a kind of magnifying
glass. In fact, magnifying glasses do qualify as microscopes; since they have just one lens, they
are called simple microscopes. The fancier instruments that we typically think of as microscopes
are compound microscopes, meaning that they have multiple lenses. Because of the way these
lenses are arranged, they can bend light to produce a much more magnified image than that of
a magnifying glass.

Microscopy is a general term used for any type of microscope where light is being
transmitted from a source which is on the opposite side of the sample, to the objective lens.
Generally, the light is passed through a condenser to focus it on the sample to have maximum
brightness. After the light has passed through the sample, it goes through the objective lens to
magnify the image of the sample & then to the oculars, where the enlarged image is viewed.

It have significantly developed over the past 20 years & now provide an indispensable
tool to study molecular events at subcellular level in order to gain temporal & spatial information
at high resolution. To achieve optimal results, it is essential to carefully plan & carry out
microscopy-based experiments, which requires the understanding of at least the basics of cell
biology, sample preparation & fluorescence microscopy.

Objectives:
This study aims to determine the different types of microscopes and to describe its
functions and parts, advantages and disadvantages, and applications.

Questions:

1. What are the two main parameters in doing microscopy?

 The two main parameters in microscopy are magnification and resolution.

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Cell and Molecular Biology

2. Illustrate and label the parts and function of a compound light microscope.


NO. PARTS FUNCTIONS

1. Eyepiece Magnifies the image formed by the objective lens.
2. Body Tube Connects the eyepiece to the objective lens.
3. Objective Lens Magnifies the specimen.
4. Nosepiece Holds the objective lenses and allows for easy rotation.
5. Stage Supports the slide containing the specimen.
6. Stage Clips Hold the slide in place.
7. Diaphragm Controls the amount of light passing through the specimen.
8. Condenser Focuses light onto the specimen.
9. Light Source Provides illumination for viewing the specimen.
10. Base Provides a stable platform for the microscope.
11. Arm Connects the base to the body tube.
12. Fine Adjustment Knob Used for precise focusing.
13. Coarse Adjustment Knob Used for initial focusing.

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Cell and Molecular Biology

3. Determine the different types of microscopes providing its description, advantages and disadvantages, and applications.

TYPES DESCRIPTION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES APPLICATIONS

1. Compound microscope A microscope that Relatively inexpensive, Limited resolution, cannot Viewing thin
uses two lenses to easy to use, and view opaque objects. specimens, such
magnify the image versatile. as cells, tissues,
of a specimen. and
The objective lens microorganisms.
magnifies the
specimen, and the
eyepiece
magnifies the
image formed by
the objective lens.

2. Binocular compound microscope A compound Provides a more More expensive than a Viewing specimens
microscope with comfortable viewing monocular compound that require depth
two eyepieces, experience and microscope. perception, such
allowing for reduces eye strain. as insects and
stereoscopic (3D) small animals.
viewing.

3. Stereomicroscope Stereomicroscope A Provides a three- Lower magnification than Viewing large

microscope that dimensional view of compound specimens, such
uses two separate the specimen. microscopes. as insects, plants,
optical paths to and minerals
create a three-
dimensional image
of a specimen.

4. Fluorescence microscope A microscope that High sensitivity, can be Requires specialized Imaging biological
uses ultraviolet light used to visualize equipment and structures, such as
to illuminate a specific molecules or techniques. cells, tissues, and
specimen that has structures. proteins.
been stained with a
fluorescent dye.

5. Scanning electron microscope A microscope that High resolution, can be Expensive, requires Imaging the surface
uses a beam of used to view the specialized equipment of materials, such
electrons to scan the surface of three- as metals,

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Cell and Molecular Biology

surface of a dimensional objects. and techniques. ceramics, and

specimen. polymers.

6. Transmission electron microscope A microscope that Very high resolution, Very expensive, requires Imaging the internal
uses a beam of can be used to view specialized equipment structure of cells,
electrons to transmit the internal structure and techniques. tissues, and
through a very thin of cells and other materials.
specimen. materials.

7. Scanning near-field optical A microscope that High resolution, can be Expensive, requires Imaging the surface
microscope uses a sharp tip to used to view the specialized equipment Of materials, such
scan the surface of a surface of materials and techniques. as
specimen. The tip is at the nanoscale. semiconductors,
illuminated with light, polymers, and
and the light that is biological samples.
scattered back from
the tip is used to
create an image.

8. Scanning Tunneling Microscope A microscope that Atomic resolution, can Very expensive, requires Imaging the surface
uses a sharp tip to be used to view the specialized equipment Of materials, such
scan the surface of a surface of materials and techniques. as metals,
specimen. The tip is at the atomic scale. semiconductors,
brought very close to and insulators.
the surface, and a
quantum mechanical
tunneling current is
measured.

9. Atomic Force Microscopy A microscope that High resolution, can be Expensive, requires Imaging the surface
uses a sharp tip to used to view the specialized equipment of materials, such
scan the surface of surface of materials and techniques. as polymers,
a specimen. The at the nanoscale. biological samples,
tip is attached to a and
cantilever, and the nanomaterials.
deflection of the
cantilever is
measured.

10. Magnetic Force Microscopy A microscope that High resolution, can be Expensive, requires Imaging the magnetic

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Cell and Molecular Biology

uses a sharp tip with used to view the specialized equipment domains of
a magnetic moment magnetic domains of and techniques. materials, such as
to scan the surface of materials. magnetic
a specimen. The recording media
magnetic moment of and magnetic
the tip interacts with sensors.
the magnetic field of
the specimen, and
the interaction is
measured.

11. Focused Ion Beam (FIB) A microscope that High resolution, can be Expensive, requires Creating three-
Microscopy uses a beam of ions used to create three- specialized equipment dimensional
to mill or deposit dimensional structures. and techniques. structures, such as
material on the microfluidic devices
surface of a and nanoscale
specimen. circuits.

12. X-Ray Microscopy (TXM, SXM, A microscope that High resolution, can be Expensive, requires Imaging the internal
STXM) uses X-rays to used to view the specialized equipment structure of
illuminate a internal structure of and techniques. materials, such as
specimen. The X- materials. cells, tissues, and
rays are absorbed materials.
or scattered by the
specimen, and the
pattern of
absorption or
scattering is used
to create an
image.

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Cell and Molecular Biology

4. Opaque objects cannot be viewed through a compound light microscope, why?

 Opaque objects cannot be viewed through a compound light microscope
because they block the light from passing through them.

5. How will you compute for the Total Magnification of an image under a microscope?
 The total magnification of an image under a microscope is calculated by
multiplying the magnification of the objective lens by the magnification of the
eyepiece.

6. What does it mean when a microscope is Parfocal?

 A parfocal microscope means that when you switch between different objective
lenses, the specimen remains in focus.

7. In a compound light microscope, which objective focuses closest to the slide?

 The objective lens focuses closest to the slide.

8. What control the amount of light reaching the ocular lens?

 The diaphragm controls the amount of light reaching the ocular lens.

9. How does the image formed under a microscope?

 A microscope forms images by using lenses and light to magnify tiny objects.
Light from a source passes through a condenser, illuminates the specimen, and
interacts with its structures. Some light passes through the specimen, while some
is diffracted. The objective lens magnifies the diffracted light to form an image at
the intermediate plane, which is further magnified by the eyepiece lens for
observation. The process relies on diffraction and refraction principles.

10. What are the proper ways to carry and taking care of a microscope?
 Handle microscopes with care by using two hands, avoiding jarring movements,
and unplugging before moving. Clean lenses with specialized tools, cover when
not in use, and store in a clean, dry place.

References:

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